With the weekend games over, the Portland Trail Blazers have seen some minor changes in terms of their position in the standings, but with the potential for bigger changes over the rest of the month. The Blazers lost their last three games, including a tough last-minute defeat to the Detroit Pistons Sunday night.
Here is Portland’s spot in comparison to the play-in, and how many games ahead/behind of Portland the teams are in the Western Conference standings. The 9th and 10th teams will reach the play-in games.
9. Sacramento Kings | 33-30 | 6 GA
10. Dallas Mavericks | 32-33 | 4 GA
11. Phoenix Suns | 30-34 | 2.5 GA
12. Portland Trail Blazers | 28-37
13. San Antonio Spurs | 26-36 | 1 GB
With the Mavericks dealing with massive injuries, they have now lost 5 in a row, including today’s loss to the Suns that left them with a tenuous grasp on the 10th seed in the West. However, Dallas has a much easier schedule to close the season.
Here’s a look at the current draft order, with the teams grouped on each side of Portland, as well as how many games ahead or behind of Portland they are in the standings.
[Note: This list is ordered by their potential position in the draft lottery]
14. Atlanta Hawks | 30-34 | 2.5 GA
13. Phoenix Suns | 30-34 | 2.5 GA
12. Orlando Magic | 30-35 | 2 GA
11. Miami Heat | 29-34 | 2 GA
10. Portland Trail Blazers | 28-37
9. San Antonio Spurs | 26-36 | 1 GB
8. Chicago Bulls | 26-38 | 1.5 GB
Lastly, here are the Tankathon rankings for the strength of remaining schedule for these teams, as well as the average record of their remaining opponents. Phoenix has, by a significant margin, the hardest remaining schedule.
28. Atlanta Hawks (.426)
24. Miami Heat (.469)
23. Dallas Mavericks (.485)
22. Chicago Bulls (.492)
19. Orlando Magic (.494)
10. Portland Trail Blazers (.517)
9. San Antonio Spurs (.520)
2. Sacramento Kings (.559)
1. Phoenix Suns (.595)
Business picks up Monday night, as the Mavs play the Spurs, the Kings play the Knicks, the Suns play the Grizzlies, and the Trail Blazers play the Warriors.